Margaret was not fond of her garden; it consisted only of grass and a poorly designed path leading to the rear gate. The elements to keep were the plum tree, the existing greenhouse, the shed, and the deck area.

The goal was to create a space where she could sit in the sun, surrounded by plants that provided year-round interest and flowers. It was important to encourage bees, pollinators, and other beneficial insects in the garden. The design called for curved lines and minimal lawn space for her dog, along with subtle lighting to extend the garden’s usability into the evening.

During the initial site survey, it became clear that the top corner of the garden had great potential as a sun trap. To capitalize on this, we excavated the main area and built a retaining wall to enclose a circular sandstone patio, with planting between the wall and the patio to reduce the impact of hard landscaping elements.

We removed all the grass and extended the planting area up to the deck, incorporating a strong mix of perennials, shrubs, and evergreens that are suited to the coastal, slightly drier conditions of the site and its sandy, free-draining soils. The selected plants provide year-round interest and food for pollinators and beneficial insects. Hardy palm trees, appropriate for the coastal environment, create a sense of enclosure for the new circular seating area.